NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has temporarily grounded its entire fleet of Tejas light combat aircraft following a recent incident and a series of past occurrences involving the indigenous fighter jet, according to Indian media reports.
The decision affects 35 Tejas aircraft currently in service. Officials said the move was taken as a precautionary measure while detailed technical inspections are conducted.
The latest incident occurred on February 7. While the pilot ejected safely and survived, the aircraft reportedly sustained significant structural damage. Authorities said the exact cause of the incident has not yet been determined.
As part of the review process, inspections are focusing on components including the landing gear assembly, electromagnetic braking systems and onboard software. The comprehensive checks aim to rule out any systemic technical concerns.
Indian media reports indicate that this marks the third major incident involving the Tejas platform since its induction into the IAF in 2016. A previous crash was reported in March 2024 near Jaisalmer during a return from an exercise, while another incident occurred during an international air show in 2025.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the manufacturer of the aircraft, described the February 7 event as a technical malfunction rather than a crash. The company said it is working closely with the Air Force to complete the analysis in accordance with standard operating procedures.
HAL has maintained that the Tejas aircraft maintains a competitive safety record among contemporary fighter jets.
The Air Force has not announced a timeline for the resumption of flight operations.
